Susan Poag, The Times-Picayune
New Orleans Fire Department firefighters, New Orleans Police and emergency personnel responded to a fire at 3 Everglade Drive in Park Timbers subdivision in Algiers Thursday.

The blaze was reported shortly after 2 p.m. at 3 Everglades Drive in the Park Timbers subdivision. New Orleans firefighters were alerted to the blaze when 8th District Fire Chief Darryl Klumpp, a neighbor, saw smoke coming from the home.

"The fire was already blowing through the roof,'' Klumpp said. "I could see it from my back yard.''

Nick Echeagaray said he was returning from an errand when he pulled up to the house to see smoke pouring from the roof. He said he entered the front door, looking for his grandfather, Fernando Echeagaray, who is in his mid to late 70s, but was unable to search because of the thick smoke.

Susan Poag, The Times-PicayuneNOFD Chief Darryl Klumpp, of the 8th District, talks about what went on when he helped rescue Fernando Echeagaray.

Meanwhile Klumpp had grabbed his radio, alerted the department and ran to the home, where he saw Nick Echeagaray standing out front. Echeagaray told him his bed-bound grandfather was inside along with two dogs.

Klumpp said he got down on his hands and knees and used his hands to sweep the floor in search of the elder Echeagaray. The fire chief said he found the man in a bed on the first floor of the two-story house, lifted him into a wheelchair and quickly exited the building.

"They got real lucky,'' Klumpp said.

Firefighters also were able to contain the blaze to the Echeagaray home, which was destroyed, keeping it from reaching a house next door.

While authorities believe the fire started on the second floor, an investigation into its cause is continuing.

Algiers Firefighter Rescues Neighbor An elderly Park Timbers subdivision resident in Algiers was rescued Thursday, July 28, 2011 after his neighbor New Orleans Fire Department Eighth District Chief Darryl Klumpp noticed that the man's house was on fire.